The gentle breeze after the rain felt blissful. Leaning against the car window, I watched as the trees blurred past, running backward as we sped down the road. A vast lake shimmered under the overcast sky, swans gliding across its surface like white specters. The steel bridge we passed groaned under the weight of passing vehicles, producing an eerie melody that sent a strange shiver down my spine. I had always loved traveling, but being part of a pack meant restrictions. Crossing into different territories without permission was forbidden, leaving many places unexplored. But today, things were different. “Seems like you like the human world,” Hades’ voice broke through the hum of the engine. I turned to look at him. He was driving with one hand, the other reaching out to tuck a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. The wind had been playing with it, twisting it into soft waves. “It’s peaceful,” I murmured, closing my eyes for a moment, letting the cool air brush against my sk
A suffocating silence surrounded us, thick like the stagnant air of an abandoned crypt. Hades slowly pulled his hand away from my wrist, his touch leaving behind an unfamiliar warmth that sent an unsettling shiver down my spine. I ignored it, focusing on the tension in his jaw. He was cautious—too cautious. Something was wrong. “Don’t breathe in the scent here,” he warned, his voice barely above a whisper. There was a sharp edge to it, a tension that made my heartbeat quicken. I nodded, swallowing hard. But my instincts screamed for me to do the opposite—to sniff the air and identify whatever danger he sensed. Before I could act on the impulse, Hades’ fingers clamped over my mouth again, his grip firm yet controlled. “Don’t,” he murmured, his breath ghosting against my skin. My pulse stuttered. How did he know that I was going to do that?The mate bond between us was already unbearable at times, but this? This closeness was suffocating. I could feel the heat radiating from h
The chilling sensation crept within me when I turned my head. I felt Ella growing so aggressive inside me that she was ready to shift and run away. However, despite everything, we couldn't let her shift—no matter what. But when my attention shifted from the hand to the figure looming over me, my body froze. My hair stood on end, a chill running down my spine. "What the fuck is that?" I felt my stomach twist with disgust. Its face was twisted and decayed, flesh peeling away to reveal jagged teeth and hollow, sunken eyes. It wasn’t human. It was a werewolf. And I was pretty sure by then what Hades meant by being forever caged in this place. It was something else. The witch—whoever had set this fucking trap—was making werewolves stuck here. They ended up looking like zombies or whatever the hell this was. It was pure hell. "S-Save me!" A chillingly eerie voice came from it. I kicked the hand away and tried to stand up abruptly. However, my body wasn’t responding to me when the
“It’s a wizard, right?” I followed Hades as he moved forward, his steps weak and slow, his gaze scanning the surroundings. “Yes. But it could also be a witch.” His voice was low, almost thoughtful. “Hecate usually preys on weak young females, especially those who have lost their purpose in life.” A chill ran down my spine. His words carried an unsettling weight. Hades glanced at me before pushing the door open. “Elysia?” “Yes?” I turned toward him, catching the intensity in his gaze. “You should trust yourself more.” His tone was softer than usual, lacking its usual coldness. “Loving someone is hard, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep prioritizing others over yourself. Move on. Find someone who will love you.” I froze, my eyes widening slightly. It wasn’t just his words that surprised me—it was the warmth laced within them. A bitter chuckle slipped from my lips. “And what about you? Why haven’t you found someone else?” My voice was sharper than I intended. “Having a
Holding the first aid box, I stepped into the dimly lit living room, where Hades sat hunched over an old, tattered book. His fingers traced the faded ink on its brittle pages, his brows furrowed in concentration. The air smelled of parchment and the lingering scent of dried blood. "We've got two out of ten," he murmured, barely noticing my presence. "Who knows where the rest are hidden?" "Lay down," I instructed, my voice firm. Hades finally looked up, exhaustion dulling his usually sharp gaze. His expression twisted with confusion. "Excuse me?" I lifted the first aid box. "Take your clothes off and lay down," I repeated. For a moment, he simply stared. Then, with a low chuckle, he pulled his shirt over his head, exposing his sculpted chest and the deep gashes along his back. The wounds were still raw, streaked with dried blood and torn flesh. "They were originally werewolves," Hades continued, shifting slightly as he settled on the couch. "Those who tried to kill him. It
The flickering light from the television cast a warm glow on the dimly lit living room. Hades and Elysia sat close to each other on the couch, their bodies unconsciously gravitating toward one another. A comfortable silence hung between them, interrupted only by the sounds of laughter coming from the American comedy show playing on the screen. Hades felt something soft press against his shoulder. He turned slightly and found Elysia, completely engrossed in the show, stuffing handfuls of popcorn into her mouth with an amused grin. Her eyes sparkled with childlike joy, and for some reason, an unfamiliar warmth spread through his chest. It was strange—watching her like this, so carefree and happy, made him feel something foreign, something dangerously close to contentment. His hand instinctively reached for her waist, pulling her closer. Elysia shot him a glance but didn't move away. Instead, she grinned and refocused on the television, laughing at a joke. It didn’t seem odd to eithe
After Hades left to take care of some business, I found myself sitting with Ruby, who had no hesitation in calling me her mother. The ease with which she said it unsettled me, but what shocked me even more was how she had managed to find me in the first place. She sat beside me, nibbling on cookies, her small legs swinging back and forth as if she had no care in the world. Her bright eyes sparkled with innocence, yet something about her words hinted at an awareness far beyond her years. "So, Ruby! Where have you been till now?" I asked, reaching out to gently run my fingers through her soft hair. "With Mother and Father!" she responded casually, biting off another piece of her cookie. I paused, my fingers stilling in her hair. "Mother and Father? You mean your parents?" "Yes!" She nodded, her expression bright as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. "Then how did you find me? And why are you calling me your mommy?" She pouted, her lower lip trembling slightly
Hades,I had a gut feeling that Elysia wasn’t just a normal werewolf with human blood in her veins. After witnessing her demon blood magic, it was clear she was far more than an extraordinary wolf with unique abilities. And now, she had a dragon pet? Honestly, when I first saw Ruby, I didn’t give it much thought. I assumed it was some magical construct, the kind of dark magic creation that sorcerers conjured for their twisted entertainment. The Moonlit Silver Wolf Pack had always been eccentric when it came to strange, mystical things. It wouldn’t have surprised me if they had created some illusion or odd magical beast. But a hybrid dragon? That was absolutely impossible. The weight of the revelation pressed against my mind as I tried to piece everything together. Was she even fully aware of what she was? Did she know the power she carried in her blood? I didn’t know what frightened me more—the idea that she might be hiding it or the possibility that she was as clueless as the
Hades,The wind bit against my face as I stood at the edge of the Moonlit Silver Wolf Pack’s territory, holding Ruby close to my chest. Her small hands gripped the front of my shirt tightly, her cheek pressed against me. She hadn’t spoken much since that morning. Not after watching me panic, tear the house apart, and shout into every corner for someone who never replied. Three days.That was how long it had been since I last saw Elysia. Since she sat at the kitchen table like a statue and then vanished into silence and chaos. The note, the blackout footage, the missing documents—every second since had gnawed at my sanity. Now, here I was, seeking the only person I thought might have some answers.Gamma Celeriac stood at the packhouse entrance, tall and rigid like a mountain. His presence had always demanded respect. But now, his expression was unreadable, carved from stone. He hadn’t aged a day since I last saw him, but something in his eyes looked heavier, deeper—like he already kne
I felt a deep pit settle in my chest the moment I stepped out of the house three days ago. An inexplicable ache stirred within me, one I tried to suppress but couldn’t ignore. I felt bad—terrible, even—but I couldn't stay. Not when Hades was around. Not when every fiber of my being warned me that our destinies had already entangled and unraveled before. Our fate wasn’t fresh or new. It had already run its course in some forgotten past, tangled in blood and sacrifice.For some reason, in my previous life, despite everything that happened on that day—the day I stabbed him in the chest—I kept getting this strange, haunting feeling: Hades didn’t die. He should have, but he didn’t. Our mate bond had been severed, that much I was sure of. But still, he hadn’t died. My gut screamed that he lived. That maybe, just maybe, the two cloaked figures who drove their blades across my chest that day were somehow connected to Hades. Perhaps it had all been to sabotage Hecate’s grand design. To destro
“My child!”Selene’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. She stood a few steps away, glowing faintly in her usual graceful poise, her silver hair floating like mist around her. But it was her eyes—filled with worry—that caught me off guard.“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked gently. “You’re happy, aren’t you?”I looked at Ella beside me. She wasn’t just a part of me—she was me. Her presence had become clearer since the memories started coming back. She nodded slowly, as if giving me the permission I didn’t know I needed.I shook my head, not because I wasn’t happy, but because this went beyond me now.“I remember what Hecate said when she gave me this second chance,” I told Selene, my voice steady despite the storm in my chest. “I can’t let her win.”Selene’s expression softened. She stepped forward and reached out, placing one hand on my head, the other on Ella’s. The warmth from her touch sank into my skin like sunlight after a cold storm, and for a moment, I felt safe. L
Hades,“Take care of Ruby. I will return soon.”That was all she left behind. After translating it that was all I got from her note. One short line, scrawled in her unmistakable handwriting. No explanations. No details. No clue where she was going or why she had to leave so suddenly. I held the note in my hand, staring at it until the ink began to blur. The words looked simple—innocent, even—but I knew better. They were heavy. Laced with finality. And that terrified me more than anything.Elysia was gone.There was no sign of her presence in the house. Not even the faintest trace of her scent. Her aura, usually woven so thickly into the walls that I could feel it even in sleep, had vanished. She’d covered her tracks well. Too well. The last footage of her stiffed movement before she entered in my study was the only thing I could find.She didn’t just leave.She disappeared.And she took three parts of the Knowledge with her. The Knowledge wasn’t something you simply took and walked
Hades,The moment the flickering lights of daylight hit my eyelids, I opened my eyes. A smile spread over my face when the moments of last night suddenly rushed through my mind unexpectedly. Her touch, the way her body curled against mine, and the quiet comfort of her breath against my neck—it all came back like a warm breeze. Assuming that my little mate would be next to me, I turned.But instead of seeing the sight of my little mate, I felt a cold, empty side next to me. The sheet was still slightly crumpled, her scent faint but lingering like an afterthought. A low chuckle escaped my throat. She was an early bird and I underestimated her. It was so like her to wake before me and slip out quietly.Throwing the blanket away from my body, I decided to head to the bathroom first and then to the kitchen or the gym. However, as the blanket hit the other side of the bed, a soft crinkle caught my attention. My vampire instincts, sharp and ever-alert, instantly honed in on the unfamiliar
Hades, Her pulse It thrummed beneath her delicate skin, a steady rhythm that sent shockwaves through my body. Each beat echoed in my skull, syncing with my own erratic heartbeat. The scent of her blood curled through the air, sweet and intoxicating, igniting a hunger so raw that it clawed at my throat. A primal need crashed over me. Instinct. Hunger. Desire. It overrode everything. I forgot that I wasn't only a werewolf, I was something else too. Something dangerous. Ruby stiffened beside her mother, her sharp instincts picking up on the change. Her bright eyes flickered to me, widening slightly, cautious and wary. Elysia, however, remained unaware. She reached out, her fingers grazing my shoulder, her eyes filled with pure concern and worry— But I snapped, “Don’t touch me!” The words ripped from my throat, harsher than I intended. I jerked away from her touch as if burned, my entire body rigid with restraint. Elysia blinked in surprise, confusion flickering acr
Hades,"Master!" Dallas stormed into the room, his face burned and his body tense. He looked around, scanning for threats or disapproval, but his discomfort was obvious. At the low table, Ruby had been occupied with her crayons, coloring something with deep focus. At his sudden entrance, she froze mid-stroke. Her wide, bright eyes landed on him, flickering with curiosity for only a brief moment—before twisting into rage. "You evil woman!" Her tiny voice rang out like a battle cry. The air around her crackled, and without warning, a small burst of fire shot from her mouth, aimed directly at Dallas. Dallas barely had time to react. He flinched, stumbling back in surprise and immediately darted behind me for protection. Elysia let out an amused chuckle but moved quickly, wrapping her arms around Ruby and pulling her close. "Calm down, Cupcake," she murmured, pressing a reassuring kiss to the top of her head. "It’s not the bad woman. It’s your brother, Dallas." Ruby blinked
Elysia,The city lights flickered beyond the tall windows, their glow casting elongated shadows across the room. I lay in bed, my body burning with fever, every limb aching from the poison coursing through my veins. The dull roar of the bustling streets below felt distant, almost like a memory I couldn’t quite grasp. Beside me, Ruby slept peacefully, her tiny chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. It was astonishing how much power she wielded. To have taken down a female beta wolf without a single scratch was something even seasoned warriors couldn’t claim. And the teleportation—swift and precise—was proof of her immense strength. I should have expected nothing less, but even so, her abilities left me in awe. Yet, despite all that had happened, a nagging question remained in my mind. How had they found us? Hades had been tending to that woman since earlier. I had never seen her before, nor did I care to know her, but she was clearly of some importance. I could only assume sh
I ran as fast as my small legs could carry me, the weight of my mission clear in my mind. The woman had hurt my Mommy. She was so strong, so terrifying, yet now, she would face me, Ruby—the little dragon who would protect my mother at any cost. Mommy… She was in danger, but I was going to save her. "Mommy!" I called out. I burst into the room, my eyes frantically searching for her. And then, there she was. Mommy’s eyes fluttered open as soon as I entered, her gaze filled with emotions I couldn’t quite read at first. But there was something warm, something deep in her eyes that made the world feel right again, something that softened the ache in my heart. “Ruby!” she whispered, her voice weak, but full of love. “My star…” Her arms reached out toward me, trembling, but they were still strong, still loving, even though she was in pain. I rushed to her, my little body colliding with hers as I wrapped my arms around her, pressing my face against her chest. “Mommy! Are you okay? A